Sports
Man City Win First FIFA Club World Cup
Manchester City secured their first FIFA Club World Cup title with a commanding 4-0 victory over Brazilian club side, Fluminense in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
Julian Alvarez’s standout performance, netting two goals and assisting another, earned him the Man of the Match accolade.
In the opening minute, Alvarez swiftly put City ahead, capitalizing on a rebound with a skillful body maneuver.
Midway through the first half, City doubled their lead to 2-0 when Nino inadvertently scored an own goal while trying to intercept an offensive pass.
Moments after the game resumed, Bernardo Silva aimed a header toward the right post from a high rebound, but the goalkeeper was vigilant and managed to deny him comfortably.
Fabio showcased his skills with an impressive save, stopping Phil Foden’s attempt from inside the box—a quick low drive aimed at the bottom right corner early in the second half.
In the 72nd minute, Alvarez set up Phil Foden inside the box, and Foden showed composure, placing the ball into the bottom right corner, extending City’s lead to 3-0.
With just two minutes remaining in the match, Matheus Nunes provided a square pass to Alvarez, who delivered a superb shot into the bottom left corner, beating Fabio and sealing City’s 4-0 victory.
Ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final match against Switzerland, England faces a significant disciplinary dilemma.
Five players—Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo, Kieran Trippier, and Conor Gallagher—are on the verge of suspension, each having received one yellow card during the tournament.
If any of these players should be booked again during the match, they would be suspended from the semi-final, should England advance.
Adding to England’s challenges, manager Gareth Southgate will be without Marc Guehi, who is suspended after receiving his second yellow card in the match against Slovakia.
Despite these setbacks, England secured their place in the quarter-finals with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Slovakia on Sunday, highlighted by Jude Bellingham’s stunning overhead kick and Harry Kane’s late header.
Gareth Southgate’s team, pre-tournament favorites, has had a mixed campaign so far. They began with a nervy victory over Serbia and then drew with Denmark and Slovenia, yet managed to top Group C and move into the easier side of the draw.
Now, they face Switzerland, who eliminated European champions Italy, in what will be their toughest test yet.
The quarter-final match against Switzerland will take place in Düsseldorf on Saturday. If England succeeds, they will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals.
However, the potential suspensions of Bellingham, Foden, Mainoo, Trippier, and Gallagher loom large over the match.
Euro 2024 is set to enter its gripping quarter-final phase, featuring a clash of football titans from across the continent.
Following the conclusion of the round of 16, the stage is now set for an exhilarating lineup of matches.
See fixtures below:
Friday
Spain vs Germany at Stuttgart (1600)
Portugal vs France at Hamburg (1900)
Saturday
England vs Switzerland at Duesseldorf (1600)
Netherlands vs Turkey at Berlin (1900)
Football aficionados can anticipate thrilling encounters as these powerhouse teams vie for supremacy and a chance to advance to the prestigious semi-finals of Euro 2024.
The Netherlands clinched their first Euro quarter-final since 2008 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Romania in the last-16 match on Tuesday.
Donyell Malen starred with a brace, supported by Cody Gakpo’s opener in the first half.
Despite squandering numerous chances, the Dutch sealed their win as Gakpo set up Malen for the second goal before Malen dazzled with a spectacular solo effort in stoppage time.
Their next challenge awaits against either Turkey or Austria in the quarter-finals.
More to follow………….
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